From the first plane of Río Maullín and its Tributaries, issued by the Hydrographic Office of the Navy in December 1874, to the paper nautical chart (PNC) issued by the current Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service of the Chilean Navy (SHOA), the Nautical Chart proves to be a fundamental tool mariners have for providing safety to navigation. The edition of PNC considers international standards defined by the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO).

             Over the years, SHOA has had to adopt the use of different tools available due to technological development; lithographs and copperplate engraving at the beginning; and more advanced hardware and software systems at present. Such is the case that currently it is used GIS, from CARIS of Canadian origin, specially made for the preparation of nautical charts.

             During the year 2009 and taking into account the first three months of 2010, 19 paper charts and 10 electronic charts (ENC) will be published. Even though the preparation of these charts is supported by new technologies, they immutably preserve their original principles to offer the community a chart that provides safety to navigation.